Topic 3 Topic 3 History of IsraelHistory of Israel

I.I. Deuteronomistic HistoryDeuteronomistic History

II.II. Chronicler’s HistoryChronicler’s History

III.III. Later historyLater history

I. Deuteronomistic HistoryI. Deuteronomistic History

ContentContent Joshua, Judges, Samuel, KingsJoshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings Tells rise and fall of Israel.Tells rise and fall of Israel. Conquest – Monarchy –Conquest – Monarchy – Exile Exile (Babylonian captivity)(Babylonian captivity)

OriginOrigin Written c. 587 Written c. 587 BCBC to explain Exile: Why did Israel come to explain Exile: Why did Israel come

to ruin?to ruin? Takes theme from “Retribution Theology” in Takes theme from “Retribution Theology” in

Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 30:15-20).Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 30:15-20). Faithfulness to covenant brings blessing; unfaithfulness Faithfulness to covenant brings blessing; unfaithfulness

brings curses.brings curses. Uses older sources/traditions – edits to illustrate theme; Uses older sources/traditions – edits to illustrate theme;

Israel’s ruin was due to failure to obey the covenant.Israel’s ruin was due to failure to obey the covenant.

I. Deuteronomistic HistoryI. Deuteronomistic HistoryA.A. Joshua: Conquest of Canaan Joshua: Conquest of Canaan (c. 1250-1200)(c. 1250-1200)

1.1. ““Idealistic” view of ConquestIdealistic” view of Conquesta.a. Quick military conquest of whole land in 3 campaigns.Quick military conquest of whole land in 3 campaigns.b.b. Land divided among tribes. (Land divided among tribes. (Map of Twelve Tribes of IsraelMap of Twelve Tribes of Israel))

2.2. Emphasizes God’s gift of the Promised LandEmphasizes God’s gift of the Promised Landa.a. Miracles show God fighting for his people.Miracles show God fighting for his people.b.b. Covenant renewal ceremony (ch. 24): in response to all God has Covenant renewal ceremony (ch. 24): in response to all God has

done for Israel, the people recommit sole allegiance to Yahweh.done for Israel, the people recommit sole allegiance to Yahweh.

B.B. Judges: Struggle for the Land Judges: Struggle for the Land (c. 1200-1020)(c. 1200-1020)1.1. ““Realistic” view of ConquestRealistic” view of Conquest

a.a. Individual tribes gain foothold in midst of Canaanites.Individual tribes gain foothold in midst of Canaanites.b.b. Continuing struggle for possession and mastery of land.Continuing struggle for possession and mastery of land.c.c. Period of “tribal confederation” – loose league of 12 tribes.Period of “tribal confederation” – loose league of 12 tribes.

2.2. ““Judges’ Cycle” (Jdg. 2:11-23; BPJM, p. 22)Judges’ Cycle” (Jdg. 2:11-23; BPJM, p. 22)a.a. Apostasy (abandoning faith – worshipped Canaanite god Baal)Apostasy (abandoning faith – worshipped Canaanite god Baal)b.b. Oppression (defeat by enemy)Oppression (defeat by enemy)c.c. Repentance (turning around)Repentance (turning around)d.d. Deliverance (by a judge)Deliverance (by a judge)e.e. Peace (until judge dies)Peace (until judge dies)

3.3. Judges – Judges – charismatic military heroes charismatic military heroes (Deborah; Gideon; Samson; etc.); (Deborah; Gideon; Samson; etc.); belong more to local tribes than to whole nation.belong more to local tribes than to whole nation.

I. Deuteronomistic HistoryI. Deuteronomistic History

C.C. United Monarchy (1020-922 United Monarchy (1020-922 BCBC))1.1. Saul Saul (1 Sam.)(1 Sam.)

Background: Philistine threat to take over Palestine.Background: Philistine threat to take over Palestine. MapMap Samuel “anoints” Saul as first king.Samuel “anoints” Saul as first king. Accomplished little; disobedient; falls from favor.Accomplished little; disobedient; falls from favor. David is groomed as successor; kills Philistine giant Goliath.David is groomed as successor; kills Philistine giant Goliath.

2.2. David David (2 Sam.) (2 Sam.) Moved capital to Jerusalem; prepared to build temple; “Zion Moved capital to Jerusalem; prepared to build temple; “Zion

theology” regards Jerusalem as God’s chosen city.theology” regards Jerusalem as God’s chosen city. Military conquests rounded out borders. (Military conquests rounded out borders. (MapMap)) ““Nathan prophecy” (2 Sam. 7): basis for “Davidic theology” Nathan prophecy” (2 Sam. 7): basis for “Davidic theology”

that David and his heirs are chosen by God to rule in that David and his heirs are chosen by God to rule in perpetuity.perpetuity.

Bathsheba affair exposes David’s faults (2 Sam. 11).Bathsheba affair exposes David’s faults (2 Sam. 11). Israel’s most popular king; Golden Age; prototype of messiah.Israel’s most popular king; Golden Age; prototype of messiah.

3.3. Solomon Solomon (1 Kings 1-11)(1 Kings 1-11) Period of wealth and foreign trade.Period of wealth and foreign trade. Main accomplishment: built Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kgs. 6-8).Main accomplishment: built Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kgs. 6-8). Sponsored wisdom movement.Sponsored wisdom movement. Weaknesses: high taxes; forced labor; many foreign wives.Weaknesses: high taxes; forced labor; many foreign wives.

I. Deuteronomistic HistoryI. Deuteronomistic History

D.D. Divided Monarchy (1 & 2 Kings)Divided Monarchy (1 & 2 Kings)Division in 922 BC: Division in 922 BC: northern tribes refused to acknowledge northern tribes refused to acknowledge

Solomon’s son as king; chose their own (1 Kgs. 12).Solomon’s son as king; chose their own (1 Kgs. 12).

1.1. Kingdom of Israel – North Kingdom of Israel – North ((Map of Divided KingdomsMap of Divided Kingdoms)) 10 tribes – capital at Samaria10 tribes – capital at Samaria Kings arise by power – all paganizingKings arise by power – all paganizing King Ahab and foreign wife Jezebel – King Ahab and foreign wife Jezebel – promoted Baal worshippromoted Baal worship 722 BC – conquered by Assyria; northern tribes scattered and 722 BC – conquered by Assyria; northern tribes scattered and

lost (2 Kgs. 17:7-8)lost (2 Kgs. 17:7-8)

2.2. Kingdom of Judah – SouthKingdom of Judah – South 2 tribes – capital at Jerusalem2 tribes – capital at Jerusalem Kings descended from David - Kings descended from David - good kings/bad kingsgood kings/bad kings Manasseh – Manasseh – worst king; allowed many pagan practices.worst king; allowed many pagan practices. Josiah – Josiah – major reform; tried to purge pagan practices.major reform; tried to purge pagan practices. 587 BC – 587 BC – conquered by Babylonia; temple destroyed; many taken conquered by Babylonia; temple destroyed; many taken

into “Babylonian captivity;” Exile begins.into “Babylonian captivity;” Exile begins.

II. Chronicler’s HistoryII. Chronicler’s History

ContentsContents 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah.1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah. Parallels Deut. Hist., then continues.Parallels Deut. Hist., then continues.

OriginOrigin Written in post-Exilic period (c. 350 B.C.).Written in post-Exilic period (c. 350 B.C.). Perspective similar to P-source.Perspective similar to P-source.

II. Chronicler’s HistoryII. Chronicler’s History

A.A. Exile (587-39 Exile (587-39 BCBC))1.1. ““Babylonian captivity” –Babylonian captivity” – many deported to Mesopotamia. many deported to Mesopotamia.

2.2. National tragedy (Lam. 1) National tragedy (Lam. 1) – homeland in ruins; living in foreign – homeland in ruins; living in foreign land; has Yahweh been defeated? can he be present in Babylonia?land; has Yahweh been defeated? can he be present in Babylonia?

3.3. Maintained identity; preserved traditions; produced Maintained identity; preserved traditions; produced literature (Pentateuch; Deuteronomistic History).literature (Pentateuch; Deuteronomistic History).

4.4. Religion properly called “Judaism” emerged.Religion properly called “Judaism” emerged.

B.B. Restoration (539-333 Restoration (539-333 BCBC))1.1. 539 – King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylonia – 539 – King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylonia –

liberated Jews; allowed/encouraged return (Ezra 1).liberated Jews; allowed/encouraged return (Ezra 1).

2.2. Three key figures in return and rebuilding:Three key figures in return and rebuilding:a.a. Zerubbabel – rebuilt Temple (516 BC)Zerubbabel – rebuilt Temple (516 BC)

b.b. Nehemiah – rebuilt city wall of Jerusalem (445 Nehemiah – rebuilt city wall of Jerusalem (445 BCBC))

c.c. Ezra – brought Torah (Law of Moses) to Jerusalem (398 Ezra – brought Torah (Law of Moses) to Jerusalem (398 BCBC))

III. Later HistoryIII. Later History

A.A. Hellenistic period (333-166 Hellenistic period (333-166 BCBC))1.1. 333 – Alexander the Great conquered Palestine.333 – Alexander the Great conquered Palestine.2.2. Jews ruled by his successors; hellenistic influences.Jews ruled by his successors; hellenistic influences.3.3. 167 – Antiochus IV “Epiphanes” persecuted Jews: outlawed Jewish 167 – Antiochus IV “Epiphanes” persecuted Jews: outlawed Jewish

practices; desecrated temple; demanded worship of Greek gods; practices; desecrated temple; demanded worship of Greek gods; etc.etc.

4.4. Book of Daniel (written c. 165 Book of Daniel (written c. 165 BCBC)) Call to faithfulness and assurance of God’s ultimate victory.Call to faithfulness and assurance of God’s ultimate victory. Dan. 1-6: stories of Daniel/friends as models of faithfulness in earlier Dan. 1-6: stories of Daniel/friends as models of faithfulness in earlier

persecution.persecution. Dan. 7-12: “apocalyptic” visions of God’s victory over pagan Dan. 7-12: “apocalyptic” visions of God’s victory over pagan

kingdoms; final establishment of his own righteous reign; resurrection kingdoms; final establishment of his own righteous reign; resurrection of the dead and reward of the faithful. (See BPJM, 77.)of the dead and reward of the faithful. (See BPJM, 77.)

Probably the latest book of OT.Probably the latest book of OT.

B.B. Maccabean Revolt & Hasmonean periodMaccabean Revolt & Hasmonean period (166-63 BC) (166-63 BC)1.1. Successful rebellion; achieved Jewish independence.Successful rebellion; achieved Jewish independence.2.2. Hasmonean dynasty brought most of Palestine under Jewish Hasmonean dynasty brought most of Palestine under Jewish

control. (control. (MapMap))3.3. 1 & 2 Maccabees – describe persecution and revolt.1 & 2 Maccabees – describe persecution and revolt.

Philistines